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Looking for an apartment to live in can be a pain in the neck, particularly if you are not sure what exactly you are looking for. In such a situation, it is best to focus on apartments that would suit your lifestyle best. For example, while someone will feel comfortable living in a dual key condo, others might be interested in more secluded apartments.
So, to begin with, focus on the apartment itself. How large should it be? How many rooms should it have? What floor should it be located on? Think about its layout and price, as well as the must-have amenities. In addition, you should consider the people living in the nearby apartments and the apartment’s location.
If you feel kind of overwhelmed, do not worry. Below, you will find a list of simple tips on how to pick an apartment that will match your lifestyle. Once you are done reading, finding an apartment that you will genuinely like living in should get a whole lot easier!
Table of Contents
Layout
One of the most important things you should do when picking an apartment to live in is consider its layout. Will it really work for you? What about your family members or pets? For a second, imagine that you are already living in the apartment you are viewing.
Picture how all of your furniture would fit in, how you would use each room, and which rooms you would be spending most of your time in. If you feel like you can easily see yourself living in there, it is a sign that you should seriously consider going for that particular apartment!
Price
Of course, you will also need to think about the apartment’s price. As a general rule, you should not spend more than 30% of your monthly income on your rent or mortgage payments. However, it is only a guideline, and it is not always possible to stick to it.
If you can tell that you will be spending more money than that, be honest with yourself. Is it really worth it? Will you actually be able to afford it? If not, you might want to look for something cheaper.
Amenities
Next, you should think about the amenities you want to have access to. In short, amenities are non-essential features and services offered to you by the company running the apartment complex, the price of which is often included in the price of rent.
Amenities can be divided into two groups, namely in-unit amenities and community amenities. In-unit amenities are those located inside an apartment unit. The best in-unit apartment amenities include laundry, air conditioning, extra storage space, a balcony, a dishwasher, energy-efficient appliances, and hardwood flooring.
Other than that, you might be interested in certain community amenities available to the residents of the entire apartment complex. Such amenities may include recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, barbecue grills, fire pits, fitness centers, playgrounds, and gardens.
Other types of community amenities are pet amenities like dog parks and pet washing stations, in addition to parking and transportation amenities like assigned parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, guest parking, and bike storage.
So, before you start viewing apartments, you should consider what kind of amenities you would be interested in most. For example, if you work from home and have a pet dog, it is likely that you would like to have plenty of recreational facilities nearby, as well as a dog park and a pet washing station. On the other hand, if you have two kids and an electric vehicle, you might be interested in an on-site charging station and a big playground. It is up to you to decide what you really need!
Neighbors
When looking for an apartment, you should also think about the people living in the nearby apartments. For example, imagine that you are looking to buy an apartment in a complex located close to a big tourist attraction. Likely, quite a few people who bought apartment units in that particular complex rent the said units out to tourists. And tourists are not exactly the best neighbors to have, as they tend to be quite loud.
On the other hand, you could buy an apartment unit in a complex located in a quiet residential area away from the city center. In such an area, you will likely find yourself living next to families with kids, retirees, and young professionals, who make for good neighbors.
Location
Last but not least, you should think about the apartment’s location. First, if you have a child or need to get to work every day, focus on the apartment’s proximity to your child’s school and your workplace.
Other than that, you will need to figure out what kind of places you would like to have nearby, ranging from supermarkets and churches to gyms and parks. Last but not least, you should consider how appealing and safe the neighborhood is. Obviously, the prettier and safer it is, the better!
In Conclusion
When looking for an apartment to live in, you should think about its layout, price, and amenities. In addition to that, you should consider the people living in the nearby apartments and the apartment’s location. Doing that should help you find an apartment that you will be genuinely happy with in no time!
And if you find yourself struggling, do not despair. Instead, reach out to a real estate agency and ask for help. With the help of a professional real estate agent, finding an apartment that you will like should become much more manageable. Now, good luck, and hopefully, you will find your new home soon enough!
